Compressible food container and methods for its use and manufacture

ABSTRACT

A food container is disclosed. Embodiments of the food container include a repository composed of inelastic, flexible material and a fitment with an opening sufficiently wide to permit extrusion of moderately cohesive foods with moderate to high viscosity, and sufficiently narrow to prevent such foods from spilling from the fitment opening. In some embodiments, the fitment opening bears a tamper-evident hermetic seal or a replaceable cap, which may also have a tamper-evident seal. Methods are disclosed for manufacturing the food container by assembling it and filling it with food. Other methods involve using the container to eat by squeezing it.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims the priority of prior U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/828,317 filed on May 29,2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to food packaging, and particularly to portable packages of comestibles for use by consumers.

BACKGROUND ART

Beverage bottles that can be kept in a spill-proof state, transported easily, and used for drinking beverages with one hand have been available for decades. Finding similarly portable and convenient solutions for food has been more challenging because of the much wider range of textures that food can have. Thus far, it has been possible to render a solid and relatively dry foodstuff portable by encasing it in a wrapper that the consumer may use to hold the food while eating it. Some dry and non-adhesive foods such as chips or popcorn have been packaged in bags or cans. Likewise, liquid foods such as soups, gels or purees may be packaged in cans, bottles, sealed bowls, or pouches. All of these packaging forms, while allowing consumers to transport food readily, are unwieldy and messy when it comes to eating the food from them. Only homogeneous liquids and purees have been packaged in bottle-like containers, leaving most foods to be transported and consumed by more primitive means.

Therefore, there remains a need for a portable, clean, and easily used food container suitable for mass marketing and packaging of food for consumption from the package.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

It is therefore a goal of the present invention to provide a portable, clean, and easily used food container suitable for mass marketing and packaging of food for consumption from the package. It is a further object of this invention to provide a compressible food container capable of neatly dispensing, when manually squeezed, a wider variety of foods, for consumption directly from the packaging container. It is a further object of this invention to provide a sealed, or sealable, container that when open remains spill-proof for moderately cohesive foods.

Disclosed herein is a compressible food container. The food container includes a compressible food repository having an opening at one end and a fitment affixed at the opening of the repository, the fitment having a substantially tubular form, an at-repository opening and a feeding opening, and a lumen with a cross-sectional width of at least 20 millimeters. In some embodiments, the compressible food repository is composed of a flexible, substantially inelastic material. In some embodiments, the repository has a maximum height of 38 centimeters and a maximum width and depth of 15 centimeters. The cross-sectional area of the feeding opening is at most 11.25 square centimeters at the feeding opening in some embodiments. In further embodiments, the at-repository opening has a cross-sectional width of at most 90 millimeters.

In some embodiments, the fitment at the feeding opening has an outer cross-sectional perimeter substantially elliptical in form. In a related embodiment, the long axis of the fitment cross-section at the feeding opening is at most 55 millimeters in length, and the short axis of the fitment cross-section at that point is at most 45 millimeters in length. In another related embodiment, the feeding opening is also elliptical, the long axis of the feeding opening is 45 millimeters in length, and the short axis of the feeding opening at that point is 25 millimeters in length.

In other embodiments, the fitment further includes a feeder shaft extending out of the repository opening, with the feeding opening at the end of the feeder shaft. The feeder shaft has a length of at most 70 millimeters, in some embodiments. The feeder shaft has a length of at least 5 millimeters in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the feeding opening has a concave curvature with respect to the cross-sectional plane.

In some embodiments, the feeding opening is closed with a removable, hermetic, tamper-evident seal. Other embodiments include a resealable cap covering the feeding opening. In some related embodiments, the resealable cap further includes a tamper-evident seal. In some embodiments, fitment has heat seal ridges on its exterior surface.

Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing the above food container, including providing an unsealed food container, which is made up of a compressible food repository having an opening at one end and a fitment at the opening of the repository, the fitment having a substantially tubular form, an at-repository opening and a feeding opening, and a lumen with a cross-sectional width of at least 20 millimeters, and having at least one open seam, filling the unsealed food container with food, and sealing the at least one open seam.

Also disclosed is a method for using the above-described food container. The method involves providing a food container including a compressible food repository filled with food and having an opening at one end and a fitment at the opening of the repository, the fitment having a substantially tubular form, an at-repository opening and a feeding opening, and a lumen with a cross-sectional width of at least 20 millimeters, squeezing the food container with one hand to cause a bite-sized portion of the food to extrude from the fitment, and biting off the extruded food.

Other aspects, embodiments and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures. The accompanying figures are for schematic purposes and are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the figures, each identical or substantially similar component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a single numeral or notation at its initial drawing depiction. For purposes of clarity, not every component is labeled in every figure. Nor is every component of each embodiment of the invention shown where illustration is not necessary to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preceding summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the attached drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram showing one view of one embodiment of the disclosed device.

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing a side view of one embodiment of the disclosed device.

FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram showing a front view of another embodiment of the disclosed device.

FIG. 1D is a schematic diagram showing a side view of another embodiment of the disclosed device.

FIG. 1E is a schematic diagram showing a front view of an additional embodiment of the disclosed device.

FIG. 1F is a schematic diagram showing a side view of an additional embodiment of the disclosed device.

FIG. 1G is a schematic diagram showing the dimensions of an embodiment of the disclosed device.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram showing proportions of some embodiments of the disclosed fitment.

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram showing proportions of some embodiments of the disclosed fitment.

FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram showing proportions of some embodiments of the disclosed fitment.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the feeder shaft, with a tamper-evident seal, feeding opening concave curvature, and a detachable cap.

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the feeder shaft, with an extended length, an opened tamper-evident seal, and a concave curvature of the feeding opening.

FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram showing a view of the fitment feeding opening with a detachable cap having a tamper-evident seal.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of the disclosed method for manufacturing the disclosed device.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of the disclosed method for feeding using the disclosed device.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the method for feeding using the disclosed device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the disclosed system and method provide consumers with a portable, clean, spill-proof and convenient food container, a method for its manufacture, and a convenient, neat way to use it to eat food. The container may be hermetically sealed until its first use, and spill-proof once opened. Some embodiments include a re-sealable cap. The fitment opening is shaped for easy and comfortable insertion into a consumer's mouth while feeding.

FIGS. 1A-G illustrate some embodiments of the disclosed food container 100. The food container 100 includes a compressible food repository 101 having an opening at one end 102, and a fitment 103 affixed at the opening of the repository, the fitment having a substantially tubular form, an at-repository opening 104 and a feeding opening 105, and a lumen with a cross-sectional width of at least 20 millimeters (0.787 inches).

The food container 100 includes a compressible food repository 101. In some embodiments, the compressible food repository is a repository that contracts in response to exterior pressure, forcing its contents out through the fitment openings 103. The compressible food repository 101 may be capable of compressing to the point where its interior volume is negligible. In some embodiments, the pressure needed to compress the food repository 101 when empty is slight enough to be apparently effortless for a typical person compressing the repository with one hand. In some embodiments, the compressible food repository 101 is composed of a flexible, substantially inelastic material. The repository 101 may be composed of flexible plastic. The repository 101 may be composed of flexible metal, such as foil. The repository 101 may be composed of a flexible organic polymer. The repository 101 may be composed of a synthetic polymer. The repository 101 may be composed of a natural product such as leather. In some embodiments, the repository 101 is composed of paper. In some embodiments, the repository 101 is composed of cardboard. In some embodiments, the repository 101 is composed of a fibrous composite. In some embodiments, the repository is heat-resistant. In some embodiments, the repository 101 is composed of a combination of two or more of the above-described materials. For instance, the repository 101 may be composed of metal foil and polymer. In some embodiments, the repository 101 is safe to bake in an oven. In some embodiments, the repository 101 is microwave-safe. In some embodiments, the food repository 101 contains a volume of food sufficient for a single meal. In some embodiments, the repository 101 has a maximum height of 38 centimeters (14.96 inches) and a maximum width and depth of 15 centimeters (5.9 inches), as depicted in FIG. 1G

The food container 100 includes a fitment 103 affixed at the opening of the repository, the fitment having a substantially tubular form, an at-repository opening 104 and a feeding opening 105, and a lumen 201 with a cross-sectional width of at least 20 millimeters (0.787 inches), as illustrated by FIG. 2A. In one embodiment, the cross-sectional width of the fitment is the length of any straight line segment connecting one point on the perimeter of a horizontal cross-section of the fitment to another point on that perimeter, and passing through the geometric center of the cross-section. The fitment 103 in some embodiments fills the opening 102 of the food repository 101, such that any food that passes out of the repository must do so through the fitment 103. In some embodiments, the fitment's at-repository opening 104 is inside the food repository 101. The fitment 103 may be composed of a rigid, food-safe material. The fitment 103 may be composed of rigid polymers. The fitment 103 may be composed of rigid plastic. The fitment 103 may be composed of resin. The fitment 103 may be composed of wood. In some embodiments, the fitment 103 is composed of a ceramic material. The fitment 103 may also be composed of metal. In some embodiments, the fitment 103 is composed of a composite material such as fiberglass. The fitment 103 may be composed of any combination of the above-described materials. In some embodiments, the fitment 103 is inserted partially within the opening of the repository 101. In some embodiments the end of the repository 101 bearing the opening is inserted into the fitment 103 (not shown). In some embodiments, the fitment 103 is fused to the repository at the opening 101. In some embodiments, the fitment 103 is heat-resistant. In some embodiments, the fitment 103 is safe to bake in an oven. In some embodiments the fitment is microwave-safe. In some embodiments, the entire food container 100 is microwave-safe or oven-safe.

The lumen of the fitment 103 in some embodiments is sufficiently wide to allow foods whose apparent dynamic viscosity, when exhibiting liquid-like flowing behavior, is between 10 and 500 millipascal-seconds, or in other words apparent dynamic viscosity ranging from that of light molasses to that of thick peanut butter or semisolid cheese, to extrude from the feeding opening when subjected to moderate pressure by one hand of a typical consumer. Although most foods are not Newtonian fluids, a large proportion of foods are either non-Newtonian fluids such as ketchup or custard; semisolids such as peanut butter, butter, or brie; slurries, such as chicken or egg salad; or homogeneous or heterogeneous mixtures of viscoelastic solids such as beans and rice or jambalaya. Each of these foods can exhibit fluid-like behavior in some contexts. In particular, such foods behave in a manner analogous to liquid flow when subjected to sufficient pressure or propulsive force. The resistance of such foods to flow, particularly through restricted spaces, can be describe in terms of viscosity by comparison to the viscosity of a Newtonian fluid exhibiting a similar degree of resistance. The food may then be said to have an “apparent viscosity” equal to the viscosity of the analogously resistive Newtonian fluid. According to some embodiments of the disclosed food container, the lumen of the fitment has a minimum cross-sectional width of 20 millimeters (0.787 inches).

In some embodiments, the fitment lumen at the feeding opening 105 has a maximum cross-sectional width to prevent moderately cohesive foods in the above-described viscosity range from spilling from the opening even when the food container is inverted. Moderately cohesive foods are foods whose elements adhere together to limited degree, at least as much as a meal of beans and rice. The beans and rice, or any more cohesive food than them, will adhere to one another sufficiently well to prevent individual pieces from spilling out of an inverted food container, if the feeding opening 105 of the fitment is sufficiently small. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the feeding opening is at most 11.25 square centimeters (1.75 square inches).

In some embodiments, the fitment lumen is formed into a funnel with its broad end at the at-repository opening 104 and its narrow end at the feeding opening, to help guide the food into the fitment, and then the user's mouth, when the food repository 101 is compressed. In some embodiments, the at-repository opening has a cross-sectional width of no more than 90 millimeters (3.54 inches), as shown in FIG. 2A.

The fitment 103 may be shaped in some embodiments to conform to the mouth of a typical consumer, as an aid to comfort and ease of use. In some embodiments, the fitment at the feeding opening has an outer cross-sectional perimeter substantially elliptical in form, as shown in FIGS. 2C-2B. In some embodiments, this elliptical portion of the fitment 103 is sized to fit comfortably in a person's mouth. According to some embodiments, the long axis of the fitment cross-section at the feeding opening is no greater than 55 millimeters (2.16 inches) in length, and the short axis of the fitment cross-section at that point is no greater than 45 millimeters (1.77 inches) in length. In some embodiments, the long axis of the feeding opening is 45 millimeters (1.77 inches) in length, and the short axis of the feeding opening is 25 millimeters (0.98 inches) in length.

In some embodiments, as further illustrated by reference to FIGS. 3A-B, the fitment 103 further includes a feeder shaft 301 extending out of the repository opening, with the feeding opening at the end of the feeder shaft. In some embodiments, the feeder shaft 301 is tapered. In some embodiments, the feeder shaft 301 is curved. The feeder shaft 301 may have tapered angles. In some embodiments, the feeder shaft 301 has a combination of tapering, curvature, and tapered angles. In some embodiments, the feeder shaft 301 is sufficiently short in overall length to prevent it from clogging. According to some embodiments, the feeder shaft 301 has an overall length of no more than 70 millimeters (2.75 inches). The feeder shaft 301 in some embodiments is at least long enough for a consumer's lips to form a firm seal around the feeding opening 105 of the fitment. In some embodiments, the feeder shaft has a length of at least 5 millimeters (0.196). In some embodiments, the feeding opening 105 has a concave curvature with respect to the cross-sectional plane. The curvature of the feeding opening 105 may be formed in such a way as to accommodate the curvature of a typical consumer's teeth, so that the consumer may bite off all extruded food exposed beyond the feeder shaft and opening.

In some embodiments, the feeding opening 105 is closed with a removable, hermetic, tamper-evident seal 302. A tamper-evident seal 302 may be a seal that makes unauthorized intrusion into the feeding opening 105 apparent to a typical person. The tamper-evident seal 302 in some embodiments is an object fixed to the feeding opening 105 in such a manner that, once removed, it cannot readily be fixed to the feeding opening again. In some embodiments, the tamper-evident seal 302 is composed of a polymer material. In some embodiments, the tamper-evident seal 302 is composed of plastic. In other embodiments, the tamper-evident seal 302 is composed of foil. In other embodiments, the tamper-evident seal 302 is composed of a fibrous composite material such as paper. In some embodiments, the tamper-evident seal 302 is composed of a combination of the above-described materials. In some embodiments, the seal 302 is hermetic. In one embodiment, a seal 302 is hermetic if it is airtight and impervious to gas exchange within temperature and pressure ranges experienced at room temperature. In an additional embodiment, the seal 302 is hermetic if it is airtight and impervious to gas exchange during refrigeration. In another embodiment, the seal 302 is hermetic if it is airtight and impervious to gas exchange during exposure to higher temperatures. In yet another embodiment, the seal 302 is hermetic if it is airtight and impervious to gas exchange during refrigeration and during exposure to higher temperatures. Further embodiments of the food container 100 include a replaceable cap 303 covering the feeding opening. The cap 303 may be composed of similar materials to the fitment, including rigid or non-rigid polymers, metals, ceramics, and fibrous composites such as fiberglass. In some embodiments, the replaceable cap 303 further includes a tamper-evident seal 304, as set forth above in reference to 302.

In some embodiments, the fitment 103 has heat seal ridges 305 on its exterior surface. In some embodiments, where the fitment 103 is placed partially inside the opening of the repository 101, the heat seal ridges 305 are on the exterior surface of the portion of the fitment 103 that is placed inside the food repository 101. The fitment 103 may be fixed in the opening of the repository 101 using heat sealing. The fitment 103 may be fixed in the opening of the repository 101 using adhesive. The repository 101 may be fixed inside the fitment 103 using heat sealing. The repository 101 may be fixed inside the fitment 103 using adhesive. The fitment 103 and the repository 101 may be fused together end to end via heat sealing. The fitment 103 and the repository 101 may be fused end-to-end using adhesive.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of the disclosed method for manufacturing the disclosed device. As an overview, the method 400 involves providing an unsealed food container 100 including a compressible food repository 101 having an opening at one end and a fitment 103 at the opening of the repository 101, the fitment 103 having a substantially tubular form, an at-repository opening 104 and a feeding opening 105, and a lumen with a cross-sectional width of at least 20 millimeters (0.787 inches), and having at least one open seam (401), filling the unsealed food container with food (402), and sealing the at least one open seam (403).

The method 400 involves providing an unsealed food container 100 including a compressible food repository 101 having an opening at one end and a fitment 103 at the opening of the repository 101, the fitment 103 having a substantially tubular form, an at-repository opening 104 and a feeding opening 105, and a lumen with a cross-sectional width of at least 20 millimeters (0.787 inches), and having at least one open seam (401). The compressible food repository 101 may be constructed as described above in reference to FIGS. 1A-1G. The fitment 103 may be as described above in reference to FIGS. 1A-3C. In some embodiments, the open seam is the opening of the food repository 101 to which the fitment 103 is fixed to form the food container 100. In some embodiments, the fitment 103 is already fixed at its opening in the food repository 101, and the open seam is an additional opening in the food repository 101 that may be sealed shut to enclose the food in the food repository 101.

The method 400 involves filling the unsealed food container 100 with food (402). The food may be any food capable of fitting within the compressible food repository 101. In some embodiments, the food has an apparent dynamic viscosity of between 10 and 500 millipascal-seconds. In some embodiments, the food is moderately cohesive, as described above in reference to FIGS. 1A-3C. In some embodiments, the food is inserted through the open seam.

The method 400 involves sealing the at least one open seam (403). In some embodiments wherein the open seal is the opening at which the fitment 103 is to be placed, sealing the at least one open seam is accomplished by fixing the fitment 103 at the opening, and sealing the opening to the fitment. The opening may be heat-sealed to the fitment 103. The opening may be sealed to the fitment 103 using an adhesive. In some embodiments where the open seam is an additional opening in the food repository 101, sealing the at least one open seam involves sealing the edges of the opening together. In some embodiments, the edges of the open seam are sealed together using an adhesive. In some embodiments, the edges of the opening are heat-sealed together. In some embodiments, the open seam is sealed hermetically. In some embodiments, the open seam is sealed in a tamper-evident fashion.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of the disclosed method for feeding using the disclosed food container 100. As a brief overview, the method 500 involves providing a food container 100 including a compressible food repository 101 filled with food and having an opening at one end and a fitment 103 at the opening of the repository 101, the fitment 103 having a substantially tubular form, an at-repository opening 104 and a feeding opening 105, and a lumen with a cross-sectional width of at least 20 millimeters (0.787 inches) (501); squeezing the food container 100 with one hand to cause a bite-sized portion of the food to extrude from the fitment 103 (502); and biting off the extruded food (503). FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the method for feeding using the disclosed food container 100.

The method 500 involves providing a food container 100 including a compressible food repository 101 filled with food and having an opening at one end and a fitment 103 at the opening of and partially within the repository, the fitment having a substantially tubular form, an at-repository opening 104 and a feeding opening 105, and a lumen with a cross-sectional width of at least 20 millimeters (0.787 inches) (501). In some embodiments, the food container 100 is a device as set forth above with regard to FIGS. 1A-3C. The food in the food container 100 may be any food that may be extruded through the fitment 103 by squeezing the food container 100 with one hand. In some embodiments, the food has an apparent viscosity ranging from 10 millipascal-seconds to 500 millipascal-seconds. In some embodiments, the method 500 also requires unsealing a hermetic seal 302 over the feeding opening 105 of the food container. In some embodiments, the method 500 involves unsealing a resealable cap 303 hermetically sealed to the fitment 103. In some embodiments, the method 500 involves removing a resealable cap 303 from the fitment.

The method involves squeezing the food container with one hand to cause a bite-sized portion of the food to extrude from the fitment 103 (502). The feeding end of the fitment 103 may be placed in the user's mouth. Where the fitment 103 has a feeder shaft 301, the user's lips may be placed around the shaft 301, creating a seal.

The method involves biting off the extruded food (503). In some embodiments, the user bites off the extruded food 503 with his or her teeth or lips. The user may then remove the fitment 103 from his or her mouth, and eat the extruded food in the manner the user chooses. The user may repeat the above method steps of squeezing the food container to extrude a bite-sized portion of food 502 and biting the extruded food off 503 until the contents of the container have been emptied and consumed.

It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compressible food container, the food container comprising: a compressible food repository having an opening at one end; and a fitment affixed at the opening of the repository, the fitment having a substantially tubular form, an at-repository opening and a feeding opening, and a lumen with a cross-sectional width of at least 20 millimeters.
 2. A food container according to claim 1, wherein the compressible food repository is composed of a flexible, substantially inelastic material.
 3. A food container according to claim 1, wherein the repository has a maximum height of 38 centimeters and a maximum width and depth of 15 centimeters.
 4. A food container according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the feeding opening is at most 11.25 square centimeters.
 5. A food container according to claim 1, wherein the at-repository opening has a cross-sectional width of at most 90 millimeters.
 6. A food container according to claim 1, wherein the fitment at the feeding opening has an outer cross-sectional perimeter substantially elliptical in form.
 7. A food container according to claim 6, wherein the long axis of the fitment cross-section at the feeding opening is at most than 55 millimeters in length, and the short axis of the fitment cross-section at that point is at most 45 millimeters in length.
 8. A food container according to claim 6, wherein the feeding opening is also elliptical, the long axis of the feeding opening is 45 millimeters in length, and the short axis of the feeding opening cross-section at that point is 25 millimeters in length.
 9. A food container according to claim 1, wherein the fitment further comprises a feeder shaft extending out of the repository opening, with the feeding opening at the end of the feeder shaft.
 10. A food container according to claim 9, wherein the feeder shaft has a length of at most 70 millimeters.
 11. A food container according to claim 9, wherein the feeder shaft has a length of at least 5 millimeters.
 12. A food container according to claim 9, wherein the feeding opening has a concave curvature with respect to the cross-sectional plane.
 13. A food container according to claim 1, wherein the feeding opening is closed with a removable, hermetic, tamper-evident seal.
 14. A food container according to claim 1, further comprising a replaceable cap covering the feeding opening.
 15. A food container according to claim 14, wherein the replaceable cap further comprises a tamper-evident seal.
 16. A food container according to claim 1, wherein the fitment has heat seal ridges on its exterior surface.
 17. A method for assembling a food container, the method comprising: providing an unsealed food container comprising a compressible food repository having an opening at one end and a fitment at the opening of the repository, the fitment having a substantially tubular form, an at-repository opening and a feeding opening, and a lumen with a cross-sectional width of at least 20 millimeters, and having at least one open seam; filling the unsealed food container with food; and sealing the at least one open seam.
 18. A method for consuming food from a food container, the method comprising: providing a food container comprising a compressible food repository filled with food and having an opening at one end and a fitment at the opening of the repository, the fitment having a substantially tubular form, an at-repository opening and a feeding opening, and a lumen with a cross-sectional width of at least 20 millimeters; squeezing the food container with one hand to cause a bite-sized portion of the food to extrude from the fitment; and biting off the extruded food. 